QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT by Gabriel Jason Dean, Vortex Repertory, May 25 - June 15, 2013

 
 (Vortex Repertory Company, 2307 Manor Rd.) 
 presents

A twisted comedy by Gabriel Jason Dean | Directed by Rudy Ramirez
May.25-Jun.15, 2013; Thursdays-Sundays 8 pm

Qualities of Starlight is an award-winning twisted comedy about the expansion of the universe and the contraction of a troubled family. Previously produced in workshop productions in Atlanta and Washington D.C, Qualities of Starlight now debuts at The VORTEX in its definitive version.

Theo Turner is a young cosmologist on the verge. But Theo’s “big bang” isn’t theoretical. His universe explodes when he and his wife travel to the Appalachian South to visit his parents about an impending adoption only to discover that Theo's aging parents are meth addicts. Science crashes violently into nature, identities shift, memories speak, and the future can only be won by renegotiating the past. The cosmos is no more wondrous than a troubled human family improvising its path into the future.

Staring Jennifer Underwood, Dennis Bailey, Toby Minor, and Andréa Suzanne Rebecca Smith. Directed by Rudy Ramirez. Scenic Design by Ann Marie Gordon. Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony. Costume Design by Michelle Symons. Sound Design by David DeMaris. Prop Design by Helen Parish. Dramaturgy by Carrie Kaplan and Natashia Lindsey.

Tickets: $30-$10
$30-$25 Priority Seating, $15-$20 General Admission, $10 Starving Artists
2-for-1 admission on Thursdays and Sundays with donation of 2 canned goods for SafePlace.
Limited seating. Advance Purchase Recommended.

“…a well-crafted…engaging drama…
Qualities of Starlight registers as a welcome find.” ~ Washington Post

“…a thoughtful and entertaining new play…Qualities of Starlight shows people determined to recover from the bruises of the past and move towards a brighter, more hopeful future.”~ DC Theatre Scene

"So dang funny!" ~ VSA Arts of Georgia

Qualities of Starlight is presented with the assistance of SCRIPTWORKS through their FINERPOINT FUND FOR NEW PLAY PRODUCTION and funded and supported in part by VORTEX Repertory Company, a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts, and by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division, believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin's future. 

(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Upcoming: The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm by Rachel McGinnis, Paper Moon Repertory at the Blue Theatre, February 17 - March 4

Received directly:

presents

The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm

by Rachel McGinnis

February 17 - March 4

Thursdays - Saturdays, Mondays at 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 6 p.m.

Playing as the first part of a double bill with Will Hollis Snider's Messenger No. 4

Blue Theatre, 916 Springdale (click for map)

Purchase double-bill on-line ($26.72 per ticket) or call to reserve: (512) 524-3761

When a powerful invention lands in the hands of impulsive Phineas Hamm on his 25th birthday, he’s faced with the possibility of altering his reality with the single pull of a lever. What happens when desires and abandon trump resilience and loyalty? Set to music with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Kaitlyn Moise, Phineas is an exploration of tempting fortunes and their immediate outcomes.

The cast features Austin favorites Aaron Alexander (Big Love), Katie Blacksmith (Servant of Two Masters), Molly Fonseca (Going with Jenny), Jay Fraley (Spirits to Enforce), Omid Ghorashi (The Assumption), Toby Minor (Spirits to Enforce), Andrea Smith (Big Love), Breanna Stogner (Down the Drain), Brie Walker (The Tempest), and newcomer Gabriel Peña as Phineas.

The late 1800s. Dancing and indulgence. Invention and industry. The world of Phineas Hamm is ever-changing, swiftly shifting from opulence to poverty and barreling through 21 versions of reality in an age of mass produced workhouses, manors, tenements and brothels. A visual feast set to music with choreography by Ballet Austin’s Kaitlyn Moise, The 21 Would-Be Lives of Phineas Hamm is a tender look at the power of choice, the pressure of the future, and the spectacular possibility of changing the past.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .

Images by Kimberley Mead: Big Love by Charles Mee, Shrew Productions at the Rollins Theatre, November 10 - 27

Images by Kimberley Mead, received directly:

presents

Big Love

a comedy by Charles Mee

directed by Robert Faires

November 10 - 27, 2011
Thursdays - Sundays at 8 p.m.
Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts

50 runaway brides seek refuge in a villa on the Italian coast in this hilarious and heartbreaking comedy by Charles Mee. When 50 determined grooms drop out of the sky, the villa erupts in a clash of wills, song and dance, romantic reverie, violent fits, satin ribbon, and one final, unforgettable showdown.

Click to view additional images by Kimberley Mead at AustinLiveTheatre.com. . . .

Upcoming: Big Love by Charles Mee, Shrewd Productions at the Rollins Theatre, Long Center, November 10 - 27

Received directly:

presents

Big Love

a comedy by Charles Mee

directed by Robert Faires

November 10 - 27, 2011
Thursdays - Sundays at 8 p.m.
Rollins Studio Theatre at the Long Center for the Performing Arts

50 runaway brides seek refuge in a villa on the Italian coast in this hilarious and heartbreaking comedy by Charles Mee. When 50 determined grooms drop out of the sky, the villa erupts in a clash of wills, song and dance, romantic reverie, violent fits, satin ribbon, and one final, unforgettable showdown.

Based on the oldest play in the western world, The Suppliants by Aeschylus, Mee's modern take is at once an unflinching look at the themes of justice and revenge, and an ode to the enduring power of love.

Robert Faires directs this tulle covered, rice throwing, dangerous confection of a play. Big Love features some of Austin's finest theatrical talent, including Aaron Alexander, Lana Dieterich, Shannon Grounds, Anne Hulsman, Rob Matney, Nathan Osburn, Michael Slefinger, Andrea Smith, Rommel Sulit and Julianna Elizabeth Wright with lighting design by Patrick Anthony, set by Ia Enstara, costumes by Pam Friday, choreography by Toby Minor and sound by Buzz Moran.

Presented by special arrangement with International Creative Management, Inc.

Upcoming: The Vagina Monologues plus local musicians, McCallum auditorium, August 19 - 23

Received directly and found on-line:






The Vagina Monologues

presented by Blue Phoenix Theatre
in association with North by Northwest Theatre, The Sessions Austin & The McCallum Fine Arts Academy

Featuring: Karen Jambon, Jennifer Underwood, Julianna Elizabeth Wright, Andreá Smith and Joani Livingston
accompanied by Austin musicians Andreá Smith
100% of proceeds go to benefit Operation OF

AUGUST 19-23
The McCallum Fine Arts Academy - 5600 Sunshine Ave, Austin

Musician info Actor info Beneficiaries







Schedule of Participating Musicians:

Aug 19
Betty Soo
Tickets

Aug 20
CJ Vinson
Tickets

Aug 21
Joanna Barbera
Tickets

Aug 22
Kari K
Tickets

Aug 23 - 2pm
peoplefood
Tickets

Aug 23 - 8pm
Kacy Crowley
Tickets

The Frog Prince, Scottish Rite Children's Theatre, June 27 - August 2

Concerning children's theatre, let me come clean in the first lines. By the time I was 18 I had performed as a pasha, a pirate and a king for a children's theatre in north Alabama. I was star-struck for life. That particular community children's theatre is entering its 49th season.

The Scottish Rite Children's Theatre (SRCT) is much younger than that but it is much more richly endowed. Established in 2004 through the efforts of the Kelso family, this non-profit institution received from Texas Masons the deed to the historic Turnhalle at 18th and Lavaca. The building was constructed in 1869 for use as a German community center and gymnasium. It served as the site for music events, theatre and opera. The gorgeous scenic backdrops regularly used in today's productions were painted in 1882. An article in the spring, 2007 issue of the magazine of the League of Historic Theatres profiled The SRCT, the history of the Turnhalle, and the Kelsos' approach to children's theatre.

The Frog Prince as adapted by SRCT follows the Kelsos' guidelines. The excited children gather in the wide carpeted space just before the low stage. Andrea Smith as the exuberant Penelope the Party Pooper (a stock character for the SRCT) and Jose Villareal as the King exuberantly greet the audience and tell them what to expect.

"Get up! Get up! Now wave your hands behind you! They're covered with 'bottom glue.," Pat your bottom! Now when you sit down on the floor, you won't be able to move!"

Penelope then instructs parents and other adults to stand, put one hand on the head and the other on the tummy and repeat a pledge. Among other things, we promised to turn off cell phones and not to use flash photography.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com . . . .